Report on ECF Board Meeting No. 20

The 20th meeting of the ECF Board took place on March 8th, 2008 at 94 Lamb's Conduit Street, London. This report is a digest and summation of the decisions taken. It is not an official ECF document.

The Board was informed that David Anderton was working on an application for Chess as a Sport.

It was decided that Finance Council would be asked to approve a rise in Game Fee of 2p and in Basic (MO) membership of 50p. Both figures include VAT.

The Board discussed the fact that the ECF was not well enough resourced to deliver its agreed budget plan and felt that the move towards a universal membership scheme must happen sooner rather than later. It was agreed that Council should be made aware that the Board's thoughts were in this direction in order to allow time for debate by the various interested parties.

There was also Board support for the principle of One Member One Vote, particularly for the election of directors.

Also discussed was the need to substantially increase Marketing efforts, particularly in the light of the Chess for Schools project and the lack of commercial sponsorship for the British/the International team.

There was a discussion about how the ECF could maximise the benefits of the Chess for Schools project. Specifically it was felt that schools may need help in finding suitable coaches.

The cancellation date of future MO Membership Schemes was to change to 31st May.

English International Arbiters will automatically become ECF arbiters subject to CRB clearance.